Awning type windows



F. M. FlNK AWNING TYPE WINDOWS Dec. 31, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 25. 1961 Jennnumb,

INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. FINK ATTORNEY Dec. 31, 1963 N 3,116,057

AWNING TYPE WINDOWS Filed May 25, 1.961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.|2 FIG. 13

INVENTOR. FREDERICK M. FINK AT TORNEY United States Patent 3,116,057 AWNING TYPE WINDOWS Frederick M. Fink, 1800 W. Roscoe St., Chicago 13, Ill. Filed May 25, 1961, Ser. No. 112,571 6 Claims. (Cl. 268-111) This invention relates to awning type windows, and particularly to an improved operator for such windows.

Windows of the type referred to are generally provided with operating mechanisms for opening and closing the ventilating sash thereof, and in order to achieve a good closure between the vent sash and the casing jamb, one end of the vent sash is caused to move to closing position ahead of the other end. This is generally achieved by employing a rock arm and link assembly'attached to an operating bar provided for each end of the vent sash and movable along the respective jamb. The opera ing mechanism may in many instances be mounted at one of the jambs, and is connected to the operating bars at the two jambs by means of a torque rod having the rock arms mounted thereon. However, in order to accomplish the closing sequence described, it has bee-n the practice to provide the link connected between the rock arm at the vent operating mechanism with a lost motion connection.

In windows of this type the weight of the vent sash in the full open position is such as to impose a strain on the link and the rocker arm, so that that end of the vent pane remote from the operating mechanism and first to close does not extend horizontally, but tends to dip below a horizontal plane.

In one aspect of the invention herein, the connection between both of the rock arms at each end of the torque rod for operating the vent sash is made without a lost motion connection. The closing sequence described is still maintained by making one of the rock arms slightly longer than the other. Moreover, in the fully opened horizontal position of the vent sash, the rock arms are airanged to adopt a position so as to give a maximum lifting force on the operating bar connected to that end of the sash remote from the operator mechanism. As a general thing, the rock arm is moved to a position approximately 30 below the horizontal plane so as to give a greater than normal pulling force in the link connecting the rock arm and the vent sash operating bar. The weight of the sash, however, imposes a strain against the operating bar and connecting link, and this is compensated for by lengthening the rock arm at the nonoperator side of the sash to give an extra strain distance equal to such additional length of the rock arm times the difference in the angle it makes with the rock arm at the operator side of the sash.

On the otherhand, the rock arm adjacent the operator mechanism is the smaller of the two, and by reason of its proximity to the operator mechanism, which generally consists of a worm and worm wheel arrangement, there can be no back driving through the torque rod to the operator mechanism. This being stationary, therefore, there is no tendency of the rock arm thereat to be displaced since there is no torsional strain in the torque bar between the operator side rock arm and the operator mechanism.

In another aspect of the invention, all of the mechanism for operation of the vent sash is made interchangeable irrespective of whether the sash operator mechanism is located at the left hand or right hand jamb of the casing. Moreover, and by reason of the invention herein, it is possible to mount the operator on the jamb itself, rather than on the facia of the window casing. According to this second aspect of the invention herein, the bearing supporting the torque bar at the end thereof remote "ice from the operator mechanism is provided with aligning bosses passing through corresponding holes in the other jamb, and the housing for the operator mechanism is provided with such bosses on both sides thereof so that the housing can be mounted at either the right or the left hand jamb, as desired. In order to provide proper pres sure for holding the assembly in position, the end of the torque bar splined within one of the rock arms for operating the vent sash is provided with a holding spring interposed between the end of the torque rod and the rock arm within which it is splined, the spring exerting an endwise thrust on the entire mechanism so as to hold same rigidly between the two jarnbs.

With the foregoing considerations in mind, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an improved construction for awning type windows characterized by the elimination of lost motion link-ages for effecting closure first at one end and then the other end of the vent sash.

Another object is to provide a vent sash operating structure for an awning type window wherein the dimension of one of the rock arms is altered, and employing the altered dimension and a component thereof to counteract for the weight of the vent sash in its open position.

Still another object is to provide a vent sash operating structure for an awning type window wherein the torsional displacement of the torque bar is employed to maintain the vent sash level in its full open position.

A still further object is to provide a vent operating mechanism which is readily interchangeable so that it can be mounted on either the left or right jamb.

A yet further object is to provide an operating mechanism which is wholly located between the jamb faces.

A yet further object is to provide an operator mechanism for an awning type window, which operator mechanism is adapted to be mounted and held in place between the j amb faces without the need of conventional fastening means.

Other objects and important features of the invention will be apparent from a study of the following specification taken with the drawings, which together describe and illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and what is now considered to be the best mode of practicing the principles thereof. Other embodiments may be suggested to those having the benefit of the teachings herein and such other embodiments :are intended to be reserved especially as they fall within the scope and spirit of the subjoined claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an awning type window embodying the improvements according to the present invention;

FIG. 2. is an end view thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1, showing the vent sash thereof in partly open position;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view to an enlarged scale taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the vent sash in partly open position, and showing details of the operating mechanism according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, but showing the vent sash in closed position;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the operator mech- -anism according to the present invention, said view looking substantially in the direction of the arrows 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 77 of FIG. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing details of a rock arm employed with the operating mechanism forming a part of the invention herein;

FIG. 9 is an elevational view looking in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of FIG. 1, showing details of the mechanism at the non-operator side of the window:

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a bearing support for the rock arm and the torque rod at the non-operator side of the window;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation-a1 view thereof, looking in the direction of the arrows 1111 of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged detailed sectional view of the sash operator mechanism taken along the line 12-12 of FIG. 6, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the mechanism seen in FIG. 12.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the improvements according to the present invention are embodied in an awning type window referred to generally by the reference numeral 26, and consisting of laterally spaced jamb members 21 and 22 which are spanned at the upper ends thereof by a header or transom member 23 and at the lower end thereof by a sill member 24. A pair of vent sashes indicated generally by the reference numeral 26 are adapted to close the opening defined by the jamb members 21 and 22, the header 23 and the sill member 24. Each vent sash 26 comprises spaced stile members 27, an upper rail member 28 and a lower rail member 29. These are adapted to form a support for a light or pane 31.

As is customary in such construction, the members thus far described are generally formed of aluminum extrusions adapted to be fitted into a window opening of a structure, not shown. The jamb members 22 accordingly have a facia flange 32 adapted to fit against such opening and the header structure 23 likewise has a flange 33 lying in the same plane as the flanges 32 of the jamb members 21 and 22, and adapted to bear against the window opening. The jamb members 21 and 22- are joined to the sill 24 by self-tapping screws 34 which are threaded into hollow bosses 36 on the sill member 24, see FIGS. 3 and 4. The upper ends of the jamb members 21 are likewise held to the header 23 by self-tapping screws 37 which are threaded to similar bosses 38, see also FIGS. 3 and 4.

Each of the jamb members 21 and 22 has an inner facia flange 39, which is co-extensive with an inside facia flange 41 of the upper header member 23, and sill member 24 likewise has an inner facia flange 43 which is coextensive with the flanges 39 and 41.

Structure is provided for pivoting the ventilating sash 26 to the jambs 21 and 22, and to this end the stiles 27 are each provided with a flange 42 which extends inward therefrom. Each of the flanges 42 has a hinge operator 43 connected thereto by means of self-tapping screws 44 passing through the flanges 42, see again FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of the vent operators 43 extends along the flange 42, and is provided with a boss 46 which is journalled in the jamb 211 or 22 as the case may be. Details of such construction are more clearly shown in Brunzie et al. application, Patent No. 3,022,548, issued February 27, 1962, for Detail for Awning or Jalousie Type Windows.

The operators 43 extend inward from the sash 26 as seen more clearly in FIGS. 3 and 4, and each inner end of the operator 43 is pivotally connected to an operating slide bar 47. Each of the sash operators 43 is accordingly pivoted at 48 to the slide bar 47. For purposes of description at this point, it should be understood that both the left and right hand stiles 27 as seen in FIG. 1, are provided with the operators 43 and the slide bar 47 so that the same can be pivoted or swung about the hinges 46 to open and closed positions.

Structure is provided for giving both translative and lateral movement to each slide bar 47 to effect opening and closing movement of the vent sashes 26, and to this end there is provided an operator indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, see also FIGS. 12. and 13. The

operator 50 comprises a pair of housing members 51 and g 52 which are held together by screws 55. A worm 53 is supported in the two housing members 51 and 52, and is integral with a worm shaft 54 having an end land 56 adapted to be supported in the housing halves 51 and 52 to act as a bearing therefor. The worm shaft 54 has a similar land 57 which acts as a bearing for the other end thereof, the land 57 being bearing supported within the housing halves 51 and 52. The shaft 54 protrudes beyond the faci-a flange 39 of jamb 21, and is provided with a spline 58 to receive an operating handle 59.

It may be noted that the operator 50 is shown, for purposes of description herein, as being mounted on the right hand jamb 21, but as will be discussed in more detail as this specification proceeds, the operator 5! can equally as well as mounted on the left hand jamb 22. Irrespective of whether the operator 50 is mounted on either the left hand j amb 22 or the right hand jamb 21, the Worm 54 is adapted to turn with a segmented worm wheel 61, the segmented worm wheel 61 having an inner hub diameter 62 adapted to be supported upon an abutment 63 which extends within a cavity 64 in each of the housing members 51 and 52. Abutment 63 limits the rotation of worm wheel 61 in either direction to make full open or full closed position of sash 27. The segmented worm wheel 61 has an internal spline 66 to receive a rock arm 67 having a hub 68 which is splined as to 69 so as to mate with the internal spline 66 on the worm wheel 61. The hub 63 of the rock arm 67 has a trunnion extension 7-1 therefrom adapted to receive a nylon bushing 72 adapted to fit against a shoulder 73 "on the trunnion 71 and toextend in an opening 74 in the jamb 22. Bushing 72 is supported in housing member 52.

Referring also to FIGS. 3 to 6 of the drawings, the rock arm 67 is pivotally connected at 76 to a link 77 which in turn is pivotally connected at 78 to the lower end of the slide operator bar 47.

The operator mechanism 56 is also adapted to transmit the operating effort to the slide bar 47 movable along the other jamb 22, and to this end a splined torque rod 79 is receivable within mating splined recess 86 formed in the rock arm 67. The torque bar 79 is similarly splined at its other end to a rock arm 81, see FIG. 8, which is pivotally connected at 82 to a link 83 similar to the link 77 to operate slide bar 47 along jamb 22.

Rock arm 81 has a splined recess 84, see FIG. 9, corresponding to splined torque bar '79, and the rock arm 81 has a hub 86 with a trunnion extension 87 therefrom. A bearing support is provided for the trunnion extension 87 and rock arm 81 as seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, and consists of a support 88 molded of nylon or other impact resistant material having a base plate 89 provided with an annular shaped bearing 91 extending therefrom.

Structure is provided for holding the operating assembly thus far described between the spaced jambs 21 and 22. As will be described, such structure enables the operator 50 to be shifted from the right hand side as seen in the several views to the left hand side as is desired. Irrespective of whether the operator 50 is mounted on the right hand side as seen in the several drawings, or on the left hand side, each of the housing members 5 1 and 52 thereof is provided with mounting bosses 92 which are complementary to suitable apertures, not shown, in the jamb 22. The aligning bosses 82 are complementary to punched openings 93 in the jamb 21. Likewise, the bearing members 38 are similarly provided with bosses 94 which are complementary to apertures, not shown, in the jamb 22. Irrespective of whether the operator 50 is mounted at the right hand jamb 21 or at the left hand jamb 22, the bosses 92 of the operator 5t} are complementary to the openings 93 in either case. It will be noted that the operator 50 can be suitably disposed at the jamb 22 by a suitable interchanging of the gear sector 61 and the rock arm 67 splined thereat, together with the torque bar 79 as is well understood. Worm shaft 54 is,

of course, reversed in its position LlIl housing members 51 and 52.

Structure is provided for imposing a force on the end bearing support 88 and the operator mechanism 5%, so as to maintain the same in place, and to this end the torque bar 79 has a spring 96 interposed between the right hand end thereof and the rock arm 67. The spring, which may be of a leaf type, has a suitably high rate so that proper force is maintained against the supports for the torque bar 79 without any appreciable amount of strain on the spring 96.

Structure is provided for insuring that the end of the sash 26 remote from the operator 5i closes on the jamb 21 or 22, as the case may be, prior to the closing of the other end of the sash upon its proximate jamb. Such closing sequence is made without the use of lost motion connections between the rock arms 67 and 81 and their respective connecting links 77 and 83. Rock arm 81 is made with an effective length slightly greater than the effective length of the rock arm 67 so as to move the slide operator bar 47 connected therewith upward through a slightly greater distance than the slide operating bar 47 connected to rock arm 67. In the usual case, such difference in length is of the order of from A" to /8, and the greater effective length of the rock arm 81 enables it to close its proximate stile 27 upon the proximate jamb 22 prior to the closing of the stile 27 adjacent the operator mechanism 50.

It should be remembered that the sash of this type is generally formed of aluminum extrusions or the like having a certain amount of resiliency, so that the sash may deform slightly in moving to the closed position of the stile 27 against the jamb 21. After the closing of the stile 27 on proximate jamb 22, continued operation of the operator 5% causes the torque bar 79 to undergo a certain amount of torsional strain, to press more tightly the stile against the jamb 21. Such torsional strain takes place between the rock arm 67 adjacent the operator 59, and the other rock arm 81, which as has been explained is of a greater length than the rock arm 67.

The continued operation of the operator mechanism 50 causes the rock arm 67 thereat to rock to closing position, and by reason of its connection by the link 77 to the slide bar 47 adjacent the jamb 21, the stile 27 adjacent jamb 21 will close thereon, the torque bar 79 undergoing additional deformation While the latter closing operation takes place.

The additional length of the rock arm 81 as compared to the rock arm 67 is also effective to maintain the sash 26 exactly horizontal when in full open position. The movement incident to the weight of the sash 26 is effective against the hinge operator 43 and the slide bar operator 47 to cause that portion of the sash 26 adjacent the stile 27 to tend to sag. This is possible by reason of the torsional resiliency of the torque bar 79. However, this tendency of the fully opened sash to sag along the end remote from the operator St) is counteracted by moving the rock arm to a position where it makes a negative angle with respect to the horizontal. It should be remembered that the operator mechanism cannot be backdriven, and so the end of the sash 26 adjacent operator mechanism 5% will not sag. Backdriving cannot occur by reason of the worm wheel 62 and worm 53.

In the full open position of the sash 26, the rocker arm 81 will occupy a position approximately 28 below horizontal. However, rocker arm 67 on the operator side will be approximately 32 below horizontal. The difference in these two angles occurs for the following reasons. As has been described, the difference in length between the two rocker arms 81 and 67 is from A1" to in the usual case. The rocker arm 81 is connected to the initial turning force from operator mechanism 50 by means of the torque bar 79, but the weight of the vents 26 is sufiicient to cause a closing movement to cause the rocker arm 81. to raise up to an approximate 28 position, the other rock arm 67 remaining in the 32 below horizontal. The difference in vertical distance in the angular position of the two rocker arms gives rise to a difference in a vertical component of position equal to rock arm 67 sine 32, minus rock arm 81 sine 28". This vertical difference is equal to the movement caused by the movement of the sash 26 in adopting a horizontal or level position. The change in angular positions of the rock arms 67 and 8'1 is possible by the torsional resilience of torque bar 79. Level positions of sash 26 is maintained by the compensating effect provided by the difference in the sine functions described.

It is believed apparent, therefore, that a number of new and unusual improvements in the field of awning type windows have been disclosed in this application. First, it is possible by reason of the structure as disclosed herein, to effect interchangeability of the operating mechanism between the left and right hand jambs of the casing. By reason of the pre-forming of the jambs with the proper openings therein, and by reason of providing aligning bosses on the bearing for the torque bar 79 and for the driving mechanism 50, such mechanisms can be changed from right to left as desired without extra drilling or tapping. By reason of the spring interposed between the end of the torque bar 79 and the rock arm 67 it is also possible to effect positive positioning of both bearings for the driving mechanism. It is believed apparent that the leaf spring 96 interposed between the end of the torque bar 79 and the rock arm 67 can equally as well be interposed between the other end of the torque bar 79 and the recess within the rock arm 81.

-It is believed apparent that there has been provided a new and unique structure for enabling the sash to occupy a horizontal position when fully open, the weight of the sash tending to cause one end thereof to sag being opposed by an extra lifting effect provided by the rock arm remote from the operator mechanism.

While the invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited by the precise embodiment herein shown, nor otherwise than by the scope of the claims here appended.

I claim:

1. In an awning type window having a window casing including spaced jamb members and at least one sash mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said jambs to open and closed positions including means for pivotally mounting said sash at each end thereof on the proximate jamb member, a slide bar movable translatively along each jamb, means connected between said sash and said slide bar for pivoting said sash upon translative movement of said slide bar, means for giving translative movement to said slide bar comprising an operator housing located adjacent to one of said jambs, mechanism within said housing including a rock arm operated thereby and connected to the adjacent slide bar, a second rook arm including a bearing support therefor at the other of said jambs, means connected between said second rock arm and the slide bar movable along the other jamb, a torque rod extending between both said rook arms, the improvement which comprises complementary aligning bosses and apertures on said jambs, the bearing support and said housing for locating said bearing support and said housing on their respective jambs, and means acting between one end of said torque rod and its adjacent rock arm for imposing a holding thrust against said bearing support and said housing.

2. An awning type window according to claim 1 in which the torque rod is splined to said rock arms.

3. In an awning type window having a window casing including spaced jamb members and at least one sash mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said jambs to open and closed positions including means for pivotally mounting said sash at each end thereof on the proximate jamb member, a slide bar movable translatively along each jamb, means connected between said sash and said slide bar for pivoting said sash upon translative movement of said slide bar, means for giving translative movement to said slide bars comprising an operator housing located adjacent to one of said jambs, mechanism within said housing including a rock arm operated thereby and connected to the adjacent slide bar, a second rock arm including a bearing support therefor at the other of said jambs, means connected between said second rock arm and the slide bar movable along the other jamb, a torque rod extending between both said rock arms; the improvement which comprises complementary aligning bosses and apertures on said jambs, the bearing support and said housing for locating said bearing support and said housing on their respective jambs, and a spring acting between one end of said torque rod and its adjacent rock arm for imposing a holding thrust against said bearing support and said housing.

4. In an awning type window, a window casing having spaced jamb members, at least one sash mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said jambs to open and closed positions including means for pivotally mounting said sash at each end thereof on the proximate jamb member, a slide bar movable translatively along each jamb, means connected between said sash and said slide bar for pivoting said sash upon translative movement of said slide bar, means for giving translative movement to said slide bars comprising an operator housing located adjacent to one of said jarnbs, mechanism within said housing including a rock arm operated thereby and connected to the adjacent slide bar, a second rock arm including a bearing support therefor at the other of said jambs, means for solely aligning said operator housing and said bearing support in position on their respective jambs, means connected between said second rock arm and the slide bar movable along the other jamb, a torque rod extending between both said rock arms, and resilient means constrained between one end of said torque rod and its proximate rock arm for holding said bearing support and said housing against their adjacent jambs.

5. In an awning type window, a window casing having spaced jamb members, at least one sash mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said jambs to open and closed positions including means for pivotally mounting said sash at each end thereof on the proximate jamb member, a slide bar movable translatively along each jamb, means connected between said sash and said slide bar for pivoting said sash upon translative movement of said slide bar, means for giving translative movement to said slide bars comprising an operator housing located adjacent to one of said jambs, mechanism within said housing including a rock arm extending therefrom and operated thereby and connected to the adjacent slide bar,

a second rock arm including a support therefor at the other of said jambs, said second rock arm extending from said support and being'connected to the slide bar movable along the other jamb, a torque rod extending between both said rock arms, both of said rock arms adopting angular positionsv below the horizontal in the fully open position of said sash, said second rock arm being slightly longer than said first rock arm, the vertical component of the difference in length of said rock arms offsetting the moment incident to the fully open position of said sash, whereby the sash is maintained in level position when opened, said rock arm remote from said operator housing byreason of its longer length being effective to close the end of the sash remote from said operator housing upon its jamb prior to the closing of the end of said sash adjacent said operator housing on its jamb.

6. In an awn'mg type window, a window casing having spaced jamb members, at least one sash mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said jambs to open and closed positions including means for pivotally mounting said sash at each end thereof on the proximate jamb member, a slide bar movable translatively along each jamb, means connected between said sash and said slide bar for pivoting said sash upon translative movement of said slide bar, means for giving translative movement to said slide oars comprising an operator housing located adjacent to one of said jamb's, mechanism within said housing including a rock arm extending therefrom and operated thereby and connected to the adjacent slide bar, a second rock arm including a support therefor at the other of said jambs, said second rock arm extending from said support and being connected to the slide bar movable along the other jamb, a torque rod extending between both said rock arms, both of said rock arms adopting angular positions below the horizontal in the fully open position ofsaid sash, said second rock arm being slightly longer than said first rock arm and being enabled to move through a smaller angle by the resilience of said torque rod, the moment incident to the fully open position of said sash at the end of the sash remote from said operator housing rocking the rock arm thereat in an opposite direction being compensatedfor by the difference in vertical component of the position of both of said rock arms, said rock arm'remote from said operator housing by reason of its longer length being effective to close the end of the sash remote from said operator housing upon its jamb prior to the closing of the end of said sash adjacent said operator housing on its jamb.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,528,953 Gzupykaytii Nov. 7, 1950 2,644,557 Westman July 7, 1953 2,766,493 Ferri Oct. 16, 1956 2,842,812 Walberg et al. July 15, 1958 

1. IN AN AWNING TYPE WINDOW HAVING A WINDOW CASING INCLUDING SPACED JAMB MEMBERS AND AT LEAST ONE SASH MOUNTED FOR PIVOTAL MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT TO SAID JAMBS TO OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS INCLUDING MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTING SAID SASH AT EACH END THEREOF ON THE PROXIMATE JAMB MEMBER, A SLIDE BAR MOVABLE TRANSLATIVELY ALONG EACH JAMB, MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SASH AND SAID SLIDE BAR FOR PIVOTING SAID SASH UPON TRANSLATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID SLIDE BAR, MEANS FOR GIVING TRANSLATIVE MOVEMENT TO SAID SLIDE BAR COMPRISING AN OPERATOR HOUSING LOCATED ADJACENT TO ONE OF SAID JAMBS, MECHANISM WITHIN SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A ROCK ARM OPERATED THEREBY AND CONNECTED TO THE ADJACENT SLIDE BAR, A SECOND ROCK ARM INCLUDING A BEARING SUPPORT THEREFOR AT THE OTHER OF SAID JAMBS, MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID SECOND ROCK ARM AND THE SLIDE BAR MOVABLE ALONG THE OTHER JAMB, A TORQUE ROD EXTENDING BETWEEN BOTH SAID ROCK ARMS, THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES COMPLEMENTARY ALIGNING BOSSES AND APERTURES ON SAID JAMBS, THE BEARING SUPPORT AND SAID HOUSING FOR LOCATING SAID BEARING SUPPORT AND SAID HOUSING ON THEIR RESPECTIVE JAMBS, AND MEANS ACTING BETWEEN ONE END OF SAID TORQUE 